This tucked-away Norwegian cabin is like an amazing hidden fort

Cabin Knapphullet

The surrounding rocks create a natural windbreaker for the cabin, keeping it safe from gusty sea breezes. From here, you can also see how the roof is actually a cement staircase, offering easy access to amazing views.

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Cabin Knapphullet

The glass walls mean that it's possible to look right through the cabin. Its beautiful simplicity is particularly apparent when viewed from this angle.

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Cabin Knapphullet

There are patios on each side of the structure, while seating and working areas inside feel nearly as bright as the outdoor areas.

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Cabin Knapphullet

A simple wood-burning stove keeps the space warm. You can also see a set of wooden steps leading to an elevated sleeping area. The use of space here is extremely efficient, with lots of sitting and storage spaces in and on the wall structures.

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Cabin Knapphullet

You might not typically find a view of a stone wall desirable, but having this boulder right next to the windows makes the space feel particularly integrated into its surroundings.

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Cabin Knapphullet

This loft area has a softer edge, thanks to its carpeted floors and wooden benches. It's a cozy little place to get away from the wide-open arrangement seen in the rest of the cabin.

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Cabin Knapphullet

At night, the cabin illuminates its surroundings like a gentle nightlight.

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Cabin Knapphullet

At a distance, Cabin Knapphullet is hardly even noticeable. Its cement ceiling blends in with the grey of the surrounding boulders, and saplings and wild brush camouflage its walls.

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Cabin Knapphullet

Green vegetation also surrounds the cabin, protecting it from harsh weather and from being easily seen.

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Cabin Knapphullet

A cushioned bench offers a place to sit in the sun. In this photo, you can also see a staircase leading down to a basement space, likely used for storage.

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Cabin Knapphullet

The ceiling is made from strips of oak woven together like baskets. The spaced-out strips make the room feel airy and less constricted than such a small area might otherwise feel.

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Cabin Knapphullet

The sea isn't the only view worth taking in from this cabin. The wind-blown trees are extremely striking, and offer some privacy as well.

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This tucked-away Norwegian cabin is like an amazing hidden fort

The standard approach to building a house starts with clearing a space in which to put it. But Norwegian architecture firm Lund Hagem has created a cabin on a Norwegian fjord that was designed to integrate with the pre-existing structures and terrain on the site. The result is Cabin Knapphullet (“buttonhole”), a tiny cottage that sits … Continued

The standard approach to building a house starts with clearing a space in which to put it. But Norwegian architecture firm Lund Hagem has created a cabin on a Norwegian fjord that was designed to integrate with the pre-existing structures and terrain on the site. The result is Cabin Knapphullet (“buttonhole”), a tiny cottage that sits inconspicuously between a rock bluff and a field of natural vegetation.

The cabin itself is sparse, modern, and incredibly bright, with stunning views of the surroundings. In fact, its roof acts as a set of stairs to the rocks above, from which residents can take in a striking panoramic view of the sea. The side walls are glazed, offering open views of the area, but the surrounding rocks protect the cabin from the weather, meaning excessive insulation isn’t required. There’s a cute outdoor area with a fireplace and a small sleeping platform. The only thing missing is a kitchen, which was left out because the owners have a more fully equipped cottage nearby.

This cabin has a very low impact on its surroundings, leaving a small ecological footprint. It’s the perfect place to truly assimilate into the natural surroundings, and a cozy and comfortable place to spend a summer by the sea.

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